Amid violent unrest in New Caledonia, the Australian and New Zealand governments have announced plans to evacuate their nationals from the French Pacific archipelago. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed two evacuation flights for Australian citizens and tourists, with more flights in the works.
New Zealand is also sending a plane to evacuate its citizens, prioritizing the safety and well-being of those in Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia. The governments of France, Australia, and New Zealand are collaborating on subsequent evacuation flights in the coming days.
The violence in New Caledonia, sparked by controversial electoral reforms passed in Paris, has left at least six dead and hundreds injured. With security personnel deployed and a curfew in place, the situation remains volatile.
Decades of tension between indigenous Kanaks and colonizer descendants have fueled the unrest, with fears that the electoral changes could further marginalize the Kanak population. The situation continues to evolve as efforts to restore order and peace are ongoing.
Stay tuned for updates on the situation in New Caledonia as developments unfold.
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